Stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction

ABSTRACT

A stick umbrella structure includes a main shank, a plurality of rib units and a canopy. A fixed hub and a movable slider are mounted on opposite ends of the main shank. The movable slider is slidably provided on the main shank and positioned at two predetermined positions. The rib unit consists of a main rib and a spreader rib. One end of the main rib pivot-connects with the movable slider. One end of the spreader rib pivot-connects with the fixed hub while the other end pivot-connects with a pivot point of the main rib. A center of the canopy is fixed to the fixed hub while an outer periphery of the canopy is fixed to the main ribs. Accordingly, the rib units are capable of unfolding the canopy by spreading the main ribs and the canopy can be folded in a reverse direction by retracting the main ribs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction. Particularly, the present invention relates to the stick umbrella structure for folding a canopy mounted on the rib units in the reverse direction. More particularly, the present invention relates to the stick umbrella structure having a series of main ribs of the rib units to be retracted in the reverse direction.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional stick umbrella structure, as described in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 395195, entitled “IMPROVED STRUCTURE FOR STICK UMBRELLA”, includes a main shank, an umbrella handle, a fixed hub, a movable slider, a series of main ribs, a series of spreader ribs and a canopy (e.g. umbrella cloth). Separately provided on opposite ends of the main shank are the umbrella handle and the fixed hub. The fixed hub provides a series of pivot-connecting points formed on its outer periphery for pivot-connecting the main ribs. The main shank permits passage of the movable slider which can slide along a longitudinal direction of the main shank. Furthermore, the movable slider provides a series of pivot-connecting points formed on its outer periphery for pivot-connecting the spreader ribs. Each of the main ribs provides a pivot-connecting point at a predetermined position for pivot-connecting the spreader ribs.

Generally, each of the main ribs has an inner distal end correspondingly connecting with the pivot-connecting point of the fixed hub. Each of the spreader ribs has a first distal end correspondingly connecting with the pivot-connecting point of the slider, and a second distal end correspondingly connecting with the pivot-connecting point of the main rib. The canopy has a center mounted on the fixed hub, and an outer edge mounted to inner distal ends of the main ribs. In spreading operation, the canopy can be unfolded on the main ribs by radially expanding the spreader ribs. In this manner, the main ribs are spread and shifted from a bottom portion to a top portion of the main shank. In retracting operation, the canopy can be folded on the main ribs by retracting the spreader ribs. Conversely, the main ribs are retracted and shifted from the top portion to the bottom portion of the main shank.

With regard to the problematic aspect naturally occurring during use of the conventional stick umbrella, the rib structure is susceptible to a number of problems. The primary problem with such a rib structure is due to the fact that raindrops remaining on an outer surface of the canopy may wet an environment or drench to a user in closing or reopening the umbrella. Hence, there is a need for the user to avoid a fall of raindrops from the canopy while closing or reopening the wet umbrella. Accordingly, this problem naturally necessitates a lager space for the user to close or reopen the wet umbrella.

Another problem with operation of the conventional stick umbrella is due to the fact that outer distal ends of the main ribs are retracted and wrapped around the umbrella handle and the bottom portion of the main shank when the stick umbrella is closed. In expanding operation, the main ribs must be spread from the bottom portion of the main shank where the umbrella handle is provided and a user usually holds thereon to operate the umbrella. Disadvantageously, if the user stays in a limited or narrow space (e.g. in a car) and opens the umbrella, he cannot immediately expand the main ribs due to the fact that the outer distal ends of the main ribs are limited therein. In other words, the main ribs of the umbrella can be spread immediately from the bottom portion of the umbrella unless there provides a larger operational space for operating the umbrella. Hence, there is a need for improving the structure of the stick umbrella so that the user can operate the umbrella in a narrow space.

As is described in greater detail below, the present invention intends to provide a stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction. The stick umbrella has a series of main ribs pivot-connecting with a movable slider, and a series of spreader ribs pivot-connecting with a fixed hub. Each of the spreader ribs correspondingly pivot-connects with the main rib. In spreading operation, the main ribs can be expanded immediately from a top portion of a main shank even if a bottom portion of the main shank is situated in a narrow space. In retracting operation, a canopy mounted on the main ribs can be folded on the top portion of the main shank in the reverse direction so as to avoid a fall of raindrops from the canopy while closing the wet umbrella in such a way as to mitigate and overcome the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this invention is to provide a stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction. The stick umbrella has a series of main ribs pivot-connecting with a movable slider, and a series of spreader ribs pivot-connecting with a fixed hub. Each of the spreader ribs correspondingly pivot-connects with the main rib. Accordingly, the main ribs can be expanded immediately from a top portion of a main shank even if a bottom portion of the main shank is situated in a narrow space.

The secondary objective of this invention is to provide the stick umbrella structure for retracting the rib units in a reverse direction. The stick umbrella has a series of main ribs pivot-connecting with a movable slider, and a series of spreader ribs pivot-connecting with a fixed hub. Each of the spreader ribs correspondingly pivot-connects with the main rib. Accordingly, the main ribs can be retracted from the top portion of the main shank.

Another objective of this invention is to provide the stick umbrella structure for folding a canopy in a reverse direction. The canopy has a center mounted on a fixed hub, and an outer edge mounted to inner distal ends of the main ribs. Accordingly, the canopy can be folded from the top portion of the main shank.

The stick umbrella structure in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a main shank, a plurality of rib units and a canopy. The main shank includes a fixed hub, a movable slider and an umbrella handle. The fixed hub and the movable slider are mounted on opposite ends of the main shank. The movable slider is slidably provided on the main shank and positioned at two different predetermined positions arranged thereon. Each of the rib units consists of a main rib and a spreader rib. One end of the main rib pivot-connects with the movable slider. One end of the spreader rib pivot-connects with the fixed hub while the other end pivot-connects with a pivot point provided on the main rib. A center of the canopy is fixed to the fixed hub while an outer periphery of the canopy is fixed to the main ribs. Accordingly, the rib units are capable of unfolding the canopy by spreading the main ribs and the canopy can be folded in a reverse direction by retracting the main ribs.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when situated in a spread state; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in the reverse direction in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention when situated in a retracted state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a side elevational view of a stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and situated in a spread state. In the preferred embodiment, the stick umbrella structure includes a main shank designated numeral 1, a plurality of rib units designated numeral 2 and a canopy designated numeral 3.

Still referring to FIG. 1, construction of the main shank 1 shall be described in detail. In this preferred embodiment, the main shank 1 includes a fixed hub 11, an umbrella handle 12, a movable slider 13, an elastic member 14, a first engaging tooth 15 and a second engaging tooth 16. The fixed hub 11 is mounted on a top end of the main shank 1 while the umbrella handle 12 is mounted on a bottom end of the main shank 1. Preferably, the fixed hub 11 provides a series of pivot points (unlabeled) on an outer circumference thereof. Disposed between the fixed hub 11 and the umbrella handle 12 is the movable slider 13 which can be slid along the main shank 1. In a preferred embodiment, the movable slider 13 provides a series of pivot points 131 arranged on an outer circumference thereof, and an engaging hole 132 formed on an annular wall thereof. The elastic member 14 is located on a position of the main shank 1 proximal the fixed hub 11. In the preferred embodiment, the first engaging tooth 15 and second engaging tooth 16 are arranged at two different predetermined positions of the main shank 1. The first engaging tooth 15 may be located at a position proximal the fixed hub 11 or a top portion of the main shank 1 while the second engaging tooth 16 may be located at a position proximal the umbrella handle 12 or a bottom portion of the main shank 1. In operation, one of the first engaging tooth 15 and second engaging tooth 16 engages with the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13 such that the movable slider 13 is capable of positioning at two different positions of the main shank 1. Preferably, each of the first engaging tooth 15 and second engaging tooth 16 provides a spring mechanism (not shown) which continuously exerts a bias force on each of the first engaging tooth 15 and second engaging tooth 16. Consequently, the first engaging tooth 15 and second engaging tooth 16 can be pressed and elastically engaged with or disengaged from the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, construction of the rib unit 2 shall be described in detail. Each of the rib units 2 pivot-connects with the pivot points of the fixed hub 11, and radially extends from the outer circumference thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the rib unit 2 consists of a main rib 21 and a spreader rib 22, and all of which constitute a series of the main ribs 21 and a series of the spreader ribs 22. The main rib 21 has a pivot point 211, an inner end to pivot-connect with the pivot point 131 of the movable slider 13, and an outer end to mount the canopy 3. Preferably, the spreader rib 22 has a first end to pivot-connect with the pivot point 211 of the main rib 21 to constitute the rib unit 2. More preferably, the spreader rib 22 further has a second end to pivot-connect with the pivot point of the fixed hub 11. In a preferred embodiment, the spreader rib 22 has a length significantly greater than a distance between the pivot point 131 of the movable slider 13 and the pivot point 211 of the main rib 21.

Still referring to FIG. 1, construction of the canopy 3 shall be described in detail. To provide an umbrella cloth, there is provided the canopy 3 spread on the rib units 2. In the preferred embodiment, the canopy 3 is constructed from a multi-piece or one-piece design. A center of the canopy 3 is fixed to the fixed hub 11 while an outer periphery of the canopy 3 is fixed to the outer ends of the main ribs 21. Preferably, the canopy 3 radially extends through the spreader ribs 22 and the main ribs 21 in succession from the fixed hub 11 to the outer ends of the main ribs 21. In a preferred embodiment, the canopy 3 includes a plurality of assembling tips 31 for securely mounting the periphery of the canopy 3 to the outer ends of the main ribs 21. In another preferred embodiment, the canopy 3 is further mounted to the spreader ribs 22 in addition to the main ribs 21.

Still referring to FIG. 1, when the umbrella is unfolded, the movable slider 13 is pushed upwardly in a longitudinal direction of the main shank 1, and moved toward the fixed hub 11. In spreading operation, the movable slider 13 may press the first engaging tooth 15 so as to retract it into the main shank 1. Once retracted, the movable slider 13 can pass through the first engaging tooth 15. Preferably, the elastic member 14 exerts a bias force on the movable slider 13 for the positioning purpose. If the first engaging tooth 15 and the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13 are in perfect alignment each other, the first engaging tooth 15 can be engaged with the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13 in the event. In this circumstance, the rib units 2 are fully expanded. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot point 131 of the movable slider 13 is located at a position higher than that of the pivot point 211 of the main rib 21 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main shank 1. Accordingly, each of the main ribs 21 has an inclination for facilitating raindrops fallen from the canopy 3. In use, the top portion of the main shank 1 and the outer ends of the main ribs 21 can be extended beyond a limited space so that the outer ends of the main ribs 21 may be gradually expanded for opening the umbrella. Alternatively, the outer ends of the main ribs 21 may be initially expanded for spreading the rib units 2 in a certain extent of degree if the user stays in the limited space.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a side elevational view of the stick umbrella structure for retracting rib units in a reverse direction in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and situated in a retracted state. In retracting operation, the first engaging tooth 15 pressed and disengaged from the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13 that permit the movable slider 13 to move downwardly. Once disengaged, the bias force of the elastic member 14 can automatically return the movable slider 13 in the longitudinal direction to a position proximal the umbrella handle 12 such that the rib units 2 can be retracted and the canopy 3 can be folded in a reverse direction. Consequently, an outer surface (i.e. rain-receiving surface) of the canopy 3 is folded in an inner space formed in it. If the outer surface of the canopy 3 is wet and the umbrella is closed, there is a little chance of a fall of the raindrops from the wet surface of the canopy 3 on a user.

In addition, if the second engaging tooth 16 and the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13 are in perfect alignment each other, the second engaging tooth 16 can be engaged with the engaging hole 132 of the movable slider 13 in the event. In this circumstance, the rib units 2 are fully extracted in the reverse direction.

As has been discussed above, the conventional stick umbrella structure cannot be retracted in a reverse direction of the main shank. Furthermore, the conventional stick umbrella structure cannot gradually expand its rib unit from the top portion of the main shank. Conversely, the stick umbrella structure in accordance with the present invention includes a series of the main ribs 21 pivot-connecting with the movable slider 13, and a series of the spreader ribs 22 pivot-connecting with the fixed hub 11. Each of the spreader ribs 22 correspondingly pivot-connects with the main rib 21 such that the main ribs 21 can be retracted in the reverse direction of the main shank 1. Consequently, it would be advantage that the outer ends of the main rib 21 can be extended and gradually expanded from the top portion of the main shank 1 even if the user stays in a limited space. In addition to this, it would be advantage that the canopy 3 can be folded in the reverse direction such that the outer surface of the canopy 3 is wrapped in the inner space formed in it.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A stick umbrella structure comprising: a main shank including a fixed hub, a movable slider and at least one engaging tooth, the fixed hub being mounted on a top end of the main shank, the movable slider slidably mounted on the main shank, the engaging tooth being arranged at a position proximal a top portion of the main shank; and a plurality of rib units each of which having a main rib and a spreader rib, the main rib having a pivot point, the spreader rib having a first end pivot-connecting with the fixed hub and a second end pivot-connecting with the pivot point of the main rib; wherein when the rib units are retracted, the main ribs are retracted in a reverse direction with respect to the top end of the main shank.
 2. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 1, further comprising a canopy spread on the rib units, a center of the canopy being fixed to the fixed hub while a periphery of the canopy being fixed to the main ribs.
 3. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the canopy is further fixed to the spreader ribs.
 4. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the spreader rib has a length significantly greater than a distance between a pivot point of the movable slider and the pivot point of the main rib.
 5. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the movable slider includes an engaging hole to engage with the engaging tooth of the main shank.
 6. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the main shank further includes an elastic member located on a position of the main shank proximal the fixed hub.
 7. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the main shank further includes an umbrella handle mounted on a bottom end of the main shank.
 8. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the main shank further includes an engaging tooth arranged at a position proximal a bottom portion of the main shank.
 9. A stick umbrella structure comprising: a main shank including a fixed hub and a movable slider, the fixed hub being mounted on a top end of the main shank, the movable slider slidably mounted on the main shank and provided at least one pivot point; at least one main rib pivot-connected with the movable slider, the main rib having a pivot point; and at least one spreader rib the spreader rib having a first end pivot-connecting with the pivot point of the fixed hub and a second end pivot-connecting with the pivot point of the main rib; wherein when the movable slider moves upwardly, the main rib is expanded; wherein, conversely, when the movable slider moves downwardly, the main rib is retracted in a reverse direction with respect to the top end of the main shank.
 10. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 9, further comprising a canopy spread on the main rib and the spreader rib, a center of the canopy being fixed to the fixed hub while a periphery of the canopy being fixed to the main rib.
 11. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 10, wherein the canopy is further fixed to the spreader rib.
 12. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 9, wherein the spreader rib has a length significantly greater than a distance between a pivot point of the movable slider and the pivot point of the main rib.
 13. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 9, wherein the main shank further includes an engaging tooth arranged at a position proximal a top portion of the main shank.
 14. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 13, wherein the movable slider includes an engaging hole to engage with the engaging tooth of the main shank.
 15. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 9, wherein the main shank further includes an elastic member located on a position of the main shank proximal the fixed hub.
 16. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 9, wherein the main shank further includes an umbrella handle mounted on a bottom end of the main shank.
 17. The stick umbrella structure as defined in claim 9, wherein the main shank further includes an engaging tooth arranged at a position proximal a bottom portion of the main shank. 